Community college takes on new name: Lake-Sumter State College

Students walk between classes at Lake-Sumter State College.… (Tom Benitez, Orlando Sentinel )

November 1, 2012|By Jerry Fallstrom, Orlando Sentinel

LEESBURG — New name, updated logo, fresh high-flying nickname.

The 50th anniversary of the local community college is ushering in significant changes.

Known for decades as Lake-Sumter Community College, the institution founded in 1962 takes on a new name to reflect an expanded mission that for the first time includes offering four-year degrees. Starting today, it'll be called Lake-Sumter State College.

"People are already starting to use it," college President Charles Mojock said, "but I find myself having to pause before I say 'Lake-Sumter State College.'"

In addition, the new name brings nifty new logos and an updated college seal, among other aspects of a branding initiative led by Gold & Associates, a marketing-communications company. The effort also includes a new nickname for college sports teams.

Say goodbye to the Lakers and hello to the Lakehawks.

"While our name has been the Lakers, nobody could really decide what a Laker would be," Mojock said, other than, perhaps, a fisherman. "There wasn't any definitive answer to that."

Another benefit of the new nickname is that it lends itself to creation of a ferocious mascot. As part of the makeover, new shades of blue and black are being added to the traditional LSCC green color scheme.

College officials in late August sought input in the branding effort from more than 100 participants "representing our key stakeholders" during a series of focus groups. After the initial feedback, the college reached out more broadly and received more than 500 opinions about "our future logo, seal, mascot, themeline and more," according to Mojock.

The "Where Futures Soar" theme was unveiled last week during a distinguished alumni and college Hall of Fame event.